Periscope Hires Its First Editor-in-Chief

Periscope is stepping up efforts to sharpen the editorial focus of its live-streaming video product. Coming onboard to lead the task of bringing order to an app that is fueled by randomness is Medium editor Evan Hansen, who announced on Monday he’ll be joining Periscope as editor in chief. Hansen, who starts May 16, explained why he’s leaving Medium after three years.

"Medium keeps evolving and growing and I’ve been privileged to be here from close to the start," he wrote on Medium. "It’s been a fantastic opportunity and challenge, and now I’m thrilled to say I’m poised to take on a new one. I’m joining Periscope as Editor in Chief. I still love the written word and Medium, but I honestly can’t think of many things more exciting than helping build a new platform with mobile phones and real time video."

What exactly will an editor in chief be doing at Periscope? According to the still-posted job listing, Hansen’s duties will be to "build and grow a team of curators, to craft and champion our editorial direction and to collaborate on product initiatives to surface the best of Periscope."

The post goes on to say that the EIC will create an "operational process" for curation, plus establish editorial direction and lead collaboration with the community, content strategy, communications and marketing teams. The job is also in charge of social strategy.